Next story:

Mars Hill selects new town manager

MARS HILL, Maine — There’s a new face at the town office after the Town Council’s recent selection of David Cyr as town manager.

Cyr will spend the first month on the job working closely with Interim Town Manager Ray Mersereau.

“We had 18 candidates and narrowed them down to four finalists. All had different skill sets and performed well in the interview process. We also performed extensive background checks,” said Mersereau.

Cyr currently resides in Woodland, but Mersereau said as part of the contract, he’ll be expected to move to Mars Hill at some point.

April 21 marked Cyr’s first official day on the job.

“We had a council meeting Monday; David will be in office from that point on. I’ll work with him until May 19, then I’ll resign,” Mersereau said. “Then on the 19th, David will officially be appointed.”

Cyr brings to the position highway maintenance experience and other skills, according to Mersereau.

“David worked for the County of Aroostook for nine years, serving as administrator for unorganized territories. He looked after roads and highways, and handled fire contracts with municipalities for East Plantation, for example,” said Mersereau.

Most recently Cyr has been working as an engineer.

“He’s received the ‘roads scholar’ designation. Both of our full-time men — who’ve been with us 20 years — have all the training the state offers. Wallace Boyd [formerly employed at Mars Hill’s Public Works Department] back in the ’90s was the first to get the designation, during the first class. Since then both our men, who worked under Wallace, have obtained the same designation,” said Mersereau.

Mersereau said Cyr’s engineering background also will benefit the community.

“His experience with buildings will also be invaluable to the town. David’s leg up over the other candidates was his experience with roads and buildings. Town officials felt his engineering experience was invaluable to the position here, given the issues we’re facing with road and building maintenance,” said Mersereau.

Cyr also has prior town management experience, having served as a selectman in Woodland.

“We feel pretty confident David has the experience and knowledge to be successful in this position,” said Mersereau.